Thursday, January 31, 2013

Welcome
to the first installment of the Artist
of the Month. The First Friday
of every month, we will profile an Alumni
in the midst of their careers. Some have stayed true to their majors at RISD, some are doing something
completely different. Some have a "job" while pursuing their
passions on the side, some are devoted parents or teachers helping others find
their own passions. We hope this serves as a snapshot in the lives of the
folks with whom we have a connection, but shows the different paths we have
taken since.

A:
Lenny Long’s
Advanced Projects, he had an unwavering demand and sharp critiques.

Q: Who or what inspires your
work now?

A:
Who inspires me? There have been peoplein my life that have made me want
to strive for the best, and even people that I admire and want to
impress. It’s not a direct inspiration…more of a motivator. As
for the what? I look at a lot
of Dutch still-life painting and what was occurring in their society during the
time. I like the idea of still life being the lowest genre of painting at
the time. The theatrics and labor of the genera intrigues me. I
recently read a great article by TJ Clark on Jean-Francois
Millet. The
intimacy of the objects with which we surround ourselves has always intrigued
me as well. But
this is kind of a broad question and everyone expects it, I'm not sure what a
better answer to this is…

Q: Well, I guess what I really
want to know is, in your darkest hour, when you're full of the most self doubt
and struggling to continue, when everyone around you is a lawyer, a doctor or
an accountant with a 9 - 5 job, what keeps you striving to be an
"artist"?

A:
It's tough. For me, having others around me who are dealing with the same issue
or more experienced artists who have gone through this period in their careers
and have made it out alive, those people keep me going, or give me inspiration
to do so.

I've
been lucky to have a few great people in my life that believe in what I do. But
most of all, I've had to push forward. I'm a person who will get something
wrong two, three, four times but I learn from every experience and I enjoy that
process of failure and learn even more from that than any situation that came
much easier

"There have been a lot of
times that I've thought about throwing in the towel. But every time I think
that I also think what else would I do? Art has been a life long crush for me
and, like most crushes, there has been heartbreak and pure joy."

Q: So how would you describe
what it is you "do"?

A:
I would say I'm an artist, not a fine artist or a painter just plainly and
simply, an artist.The medium I choose to make my working should not hem me in to
some type of descriptor. I spend the majority of my time in my studio, but I
also teach at Chapman University. As for
a hobby…a friend of mine just got me into indoor rock climbing. I’ve only
been a few times but I love it.

A:
I just finished a book about one of my projects called “The Rhythm is Odd”. I’m also working on
my first solo exhibition, which will be at Western Project on May 11, 2013. Also a
group exhibition, at VAST Space
Project in March. That show is curated by David Pagel. There are a
few other projects in the works but as for now I’m not saying too much about
them.

Q: What has changed the most for
you, as an artist, in the last 10 years? Could be anything, from your
style to technology, etc.

A:
That’s a big list. I went to graduate school at Claremont Graduate University.
If I look back at the work I was making during undergrad I can see some hints
of what I’m doing now, more in the concepts than in the physical work.

Q: Where do you see yourself in
10 years?

A:
Still showing but in internationally and nationally (LA and New York). Dream
big. Who knows if I’ll still be in LA. A year before moving to Providence
I remember having a conversation with a friend and I said something like “Who
would ever live in Rhode Island, I could never live there.”

Q: What do you love/hate about
the "Art Scene" in LA?

A:
Love... There is a great community in LA right now. Galleries like Weekend, Jaus, and Elephant, more independent
spaces that are about developing community and have a strong vision for what
they would like the art world to be, anchor it.

Hate…I’ve
been thinking about Dave
Hickey leaving the art world and the reasoning behind it… The art bubble,
it always becomes a large topic after Miami
Basel. There seems to be a general disappointment in what is going on
right now, not just with big money galleries/collectors but all aspects of the
art world. From MFA programs to government funding for the arts.
We’re looking for something but I don’t know what yet…the general public has no
access point into the contemporary art world. Brian
Eno’s opening speech for the
1995 Turner
Prize is still valid. Jude
Law, at this year’s Turner Prize ceremony, criticized his government for
cutting funding to the arts. I’m curious to see what is going to happen
in the next five years. Will there be a general complacency? Spaces
like Weekend Gallery already have
respect, but when they get more traction, what will they turn into and how will
they influence the art scene?

Q: What do you want to see out
of the RISD LA Alumni organization in the future?

A:
More organization. Some sort of a directory for artists and designers.
Community.

Well
we hear you Nicolas, and we're listening. If you have thoughts on
Nicolas' profile, feel free to share in the comments below. We're looking
for our next Artist of the Month as well, if you're interested please connect
with us via the RISD/LA
Alumni Facebook Group.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Below is your (incomplete) list of HAPPENINGS for this weekend! Be sure to catch us next week for the first edition of our Artist of the Month blog in which we will feature Alum Nicolas Shake IL 08.

As always, if you have something coming up or would like to be our next Artist of the Month, be sure to let us know via the Facebook RISD/LA Alumni Group or the comments sections below! Stay dry Alums and Happy Art-ing!HAPPENINGSFRIDAY

If gallery and museum perusing works up an appetite, take advantage of dineLA Restaurant Week (which is actually 2 weeks) continuing from now until Friday, Feb 1st. More information and a list of participating restaurants can be found athttp://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/restaurants.

SPΛCE: Come to R&R Gallery to experience a unique interactive and intergalactic collaboration and the best part is, ANYONE can be part of the show! Create a planet out of ANYTHING. Must be less than a foot square and
ready to suspend. Drop them off at the opening and we’ll take care of
the rest. Download flyer - http://therandr.org/ref/flyers/SPACE_RR_2up_web800.jpgA portion of proceeds go to NASA for further exploration.Opening reception Friday Jan. 25th 2013 8p – MidnightClosing night Friday Feb. 8th 2013 8p – MidnightR&R929 E 2nd St #106, Los Angeles, CA

FREE MUSEUM WEEKEND IS HERE!From museumsla.org "In a joint effort to present the arts and culture to the diverse and myriad communities in Southern California, the
Museum Marketing Roundtable announces the eighth annual ‘Museums Free-For-All’"Saturday and Sunday 1/26 and 1//27A list of participating museums can be found at: http://www.museumsla.org/news.aspAndy WarholPolaroids taken from 1974 - 1987 on public display for the first time at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex. This collection is made possible by a donation from the Andy Warhol Foundation. Opening Reception: Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 12:00PMEXHIBITION DATES: JAN 26 - MAR 23ADMISSION: FREEGALLERY HOURS: M-TH+SAT: 12PM-5PM FRI+SUN: CLOSEDPARKING: Located across from the Luckman Complex, on the campus of Cal State L.A., at a rate of $1 per hour.

Luckman Fine Arts Complex

5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, CA

(323) 343-6600

http://www.luckmanarts.org/gallery/MAZ ATTACK Art Party: 65 artists and live bands come together for a
one-night-only evening of mutual appreciation of painters for painters –
to facilitate networking and friendships, to introduce painting lovers to new works and gallerists to new talent. Complimentary wine will be served6-11 p.m. | First Floor Lobby
& Lower Level Art StudiosLA Mart1933 S. BroadwayLos Angeles, CA800.LAMART.4 http://lamart.com/january-markets/

The 14th Annual Los Angeles Pottery Show is being held Saturday and Sunday at the Pasadena Convention CenterJANUARY 26-27, 2013Hours: 10-6 Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday(no admission 1/2 hour prior to closing)Tickets: $12.00 at door orCLICK HERE FOR DISCOUNT ADMISSION

Friday, January 18, 2013

Hi RISD/LA Alums! Here's your (incomplete) guide to what's happening in the art world this weekend. If YOU would like to be included in next weeks "HAPPENINGS" or know of something coming up, please let us know via the Facebook RISD/LA Alumni Group or the comments sections below! Happy Art-ing!HAPPENINGS

From museumsla.org "In a joint effort to present the arts and culture to the diverse and myriad communities in Southern California, the
Museum Marketing Roundtable announces the eighth annual ‘Museums Free-For-All’"Saturday and Sunday 1/26 and 1//27
A list of participating museums can be found at: http://www.museumsla.org/news.asp

Welcome to the RISD/LA Alumni Blog! In this space we hope to connect, promote and create a buzz about the wonderful things happening in Los Angeles by you. But we're going to need your help in doing so.

Each week we'd like to post "HAPPENINGS," that is upcoming shows or places where your work is featured this week. Maybe its the premiere of a new TV Show, maybe its an Opening Reception, maybe its a mixer at your studio, if its happening, let us know!

Then, each month we'd like to feature an "ARTIST OF THE MONTH" with a short bio, some photos and a brief q&a. This will be your chance to do some crazy self promotion and tell the world what you're up to. If you'd like to be our featured Artist of the Month in the upcoming months contact us via the Facebook RISD/LA Alumni Group.

This is the LEAST of what we'd like to do. We'd LOVE to continue hosting Alumni Group events every couple months, and we'd love to do so much more! If you have ideas or would like to contribute, let us know!

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

We want to know what you're doing! What shows are you checking out? What shows are you in? What big happenings are coming up? Help us help you!

Please connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, or through this blog or in the comments section below, and Thanks!